Napoli have reclaimed top spot in the Italian Serie A following their late win over Torino when the two teams met at the StadioArmando Maradona on Sunday.
The Luciano Spalletti-led side had to do it the hard way to re-establish a two-point lead over AC Milan. On Saturday, AC Milan came from two goals down at the half-time break to score three second half goals andbeat Hellas Verona 3-2 at home. The comeback win took Milan above Napoli by one point. Napoli responded to losing top spot on the Serie A standings by beating stubborn Torino at home via a late goal from Super Eagles of Nigeria star Victor Osimhen.
Napoli could have had a less nervy win over the club from Turin if Italian international Lorenzo Insigne was clinical from the penalty spot in the first half. The Euro 2020 winner with the Italian national team failed to convert the penalty awarded to his team on 26 minutes. The experienced winger has now missed three of his last five penalties for Napoli.
Nigerian striker Osimhen would spare his blushes with a very good header nine minutes from time. The goal from Osimhen was enough to hand Napoli a 1-0 home victory overTorino.
Napoli manager Spalletti deserved some credit for the changes he made to his team to propel them to victory. One of the numerous changes saw the introduction of Belgian international Dries Mertens for Poland national team player Piotr Zelinksi. Mertens came on for the Poland international with 19 minutes left on the clock. Poland midfielder Zelinksi is an important player for Napoli in midfield and the Italian Serie A leaders were able to score the winning goalwithout him on the pitch.
Spalletti and his Napoli players face another tough league game on paper when they take on hosts AS Roma next week Sunday.